ABSTRACT
The major mechanism of distillery effluent decolorization is biodegradation because they produce the lignin-modifying enzymes, also known as ligninolytic enzymes, comprising laccase (Lac), manganese peroxidase (MnP), and lignin peroxidase (LiP) to mineralize complex and recalcitrant polymers like lignin, plant phenolics, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and melanoidins. This group of enzymes is highly versatile and they find application in a wide variety of industries. Distillery wastewater is one of the environmental problems that has a significant impact on water and soil. Melanoidins are difficult to degrade and have recalcitrant and toxic characteristics. Enzymatic degradation with ligninolytic enzyme-producing microbes or pure enzymes is a promising solution for the removal of recalcitrant organic and inorganic compounds that are released into the environment through distillery effluent. However, the application of these enzymes as free enzymes is limited due to their instability and lack of reusability. The immobilized ligninolytic enzyme is effectively used to enhance the degradation of distillery effluent. This chapter emphasizes the role of ligninolytic and non-ligninolytic enzymes for biodegradation and decolorization of distillery effluent, with a special focus on the different mechanisms involved in melanoidins degradation as well as pollution and toxicity reduction.
